Geranium 'Biokovo'

Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo': A Subtle Symphony of White and Pink

Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo', a charming cultivar from the cranesbill family, is a recipient of the prestigious Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit, a testament to its beauty and resilience. This hybrid, a result of crossing Geranium dalmaticum and Geranium macrorrhizum, showcases a subtle symphony of white flowers with a blush of pink at their centers, creating a serene and inviting presence in the garden. Ideal for ground cover, edging pathways, or softening the bases of shrubs, 'Biokovo' thrives in full sun to partial shade, offering a long season of interest from late spring through early summer.

Product Characteristics:

• Height: 'Biokovo' reaches a height of 15-20 cm, perfect for creating a low, dense mat that elegantly carpets the garden floor.
• Spread: It boasts a spreading habit of up to 60 cm wide, providing excellent ground coverage that suppresses weeds and unifies garden spaces with its lush foliage.
• Flower Colour: The blooms are predominantly white with a delicate pink blush at their centers, blooming generously to create a visually soothing effect that enhances the garden's aesthetic.
• Flowering Period: Blooming from late spring through early summer, Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo' brings a refreshing burst of subtle color, providing a gentle contrast against the verdant foliage.
• Foliage: Its foliage is deeply lobed, semi-evergreen, and aromatic, offering year-round interest and a natural pest deterrent, adding to its garden value.
• Sunlight Requirements: Prefers full sun to partial shade, flourishing in a variety of lighting conditions and promoting a lush display of flowers and robust foliage.
• Soil Requirements: Enjoys well-drained soil, showing remarkable adaptability to a range of soil conditions, from dry to moderately moist, making it a versatile choice for gardeners.

Uses and Benefits: In addition to its decorative appeal, 'Biokovo' serves as an effective ground cover, offering erosion control, weed suppression, and aromatic foliage that deters certain pests. It is particularly valued for attracting bees and butterflies, enhancing garden biodiversity and supporting the health of pollinators.

Companion Plants: This award-winning cranesbill pairs beautifully with other perennials such as Lavender (Lavandula), Catmint (Nepeta), and Yarrow (Achillea), creating a drought-tolerant, low-maintenance garden display that emphasizes texture and color contrast.

Care Instructions: Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo' is remarkably low maintenance, requiring minimal care to thrive. It is drought-tolerant once established, needing only occasional watering during extended dry periods. Light pruning can encourage denser growth and maintain a neat appearance.

History: Named after the Biokovo mountains in Croatia, close to where its parent species are native, 'Biokovo' has been celebrated in gardens for its adaptability, aesthetic appeal, and the ease with which it blends into various garden designs.

Final Thoughts: Geranium x cantabrigiense 'Biokovo' is a testament to the serene beauty that perennials can bring to the garden, offering a blend of subtle floral beauty, aromatic foliage, and ecological benefits. Whether used to carpet garden spaces, edge pathways, or as a complement to taller plants, 'Biokovo' invites all who visit the garden to enjoy its tranquil charm and the enduring appeal it adds to the landscape.